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CIRCULAR 



BOSTON CHILDBEFS FKIEND SOCIETY. 



' Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these .... ye did it unto me.' 



BOSTON: 

PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN & SON, 42 CONGRESS STREET. 

1858, 



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CIRCULAR. 



In presenting to the public a statement of the origin, object, and 
wants of the " Boston Children's Friend Society," the Board 
of Managers feel that they have not to make an appeal in behalf of 
an untried or impracticable scheme of benevolence. Quietly but 
constantly, for twenty-five years, has this Society been doing good 
in the community ; and, from obscure and lowly beginnings, has 
risen to a noble and enlarged field of labor, and enshrined itself 
in the hearts of those who have watched its progress and results. 

Glancing at its history, we find, more than a quarter of a cen- 
tury ago, in the north part of our city, a quiet and unpretending, 
but true and earnest Christian woman, with a heart moved by the 
sufferings and degradation of a group of wretched children whom 
she met in her daily walks. Though a stranger to the luxuries of 
wealth, she opened wide her doors, and welcomed these friendless 
ones to her table, and as far as she could to the comforts of life. 
One or two, whose cases were peculiarly distressing, and who 
seemed on the verge of moral ruin, became permanent members 
of her household. Others were soon admitted, and five were thus 
boarded, lodged and clothed, in Mrs. Burns's family. After a 
time her health failed, and she was obliged to relinquish a portion 
of this now arduous care ; not, however, till she had enlisted the 
sympathies of other ladies who cheerfully assumed the charge from 
her hands. In 1833, these ladies became associated for this benev- 
olent enterprise, and in 1834, by an act of the Legislature, were 
incorporated as "The Boston Children's Friend Society." 

The institution was first opened in 1833, at 83 Prince Street, 
(an estate subsequently purchased,) and was rapidly filled. Here, 
for many years, the Society labored and prospered, encouraged by 



the contributions and sympathy of many friends. In 1845, the 
house being too small, and a favorable opportunity offering, the 
property on Prince Street was sold, and the family removed to 
Somerville, where they remained one year. This location being 
inconvenient, they again removed, in 1846, to a house " in Wash- 
ington Street, adjoining the cemetery." At this time, they 
obtained a lot of land, containing 14,525 feet, on Rutland 
Street, and by the liberal donations of friends, were enabled to 
erect a large and commodious house, with well-arranged and ven- 
tilated rooms, and adapted to the wants of the family. Here, in 
1848, they were finally located, and, animated with fresh gratitude, 
hope and zeal, commenced anew to labor for the good of those 
committed to their charge. They still remain in that pleasant 
home ; pleasant in its comfort, air and sunshine ; pleasant to many 
a lonely one, as it reviews the past ; more bright and pleasant, 
could it know the full benefit its protection had afforded ; pleasant 
to those who watched its growth and completion, and felt their 
bounty had aided the good work. And shall we not feel it is a 
pleasant and goodly sight to Him who took little children in His 
arms and blessed them, saying : " Of such is the kingdom of 
heaven." 

The object of the Boston Children's Friend Society, is to pro- 
vide a home for the reception, care and education of destitute chil- 
dren, as more distinctly specified in the constitution and by-laws. 
They may be either surrendered fully to the Society, or, should the 
parent or friend have the means to assist in their support, may be 
received as boarders, and entitled to the full benefit of the institu- 
tion. Such boarders may be removed by the parents and friends, 
when the conditions of payment are complied with. Children 
fully surrendered to the Society, are regarded as peculiarly under 
its supervision. Of these, some are adopted into Christian fami- 
lies, and regarded and treated as members of the household. 
Others are placed at service, during their minority, in good and 
comfortable homes. 

The vast number of children who constitute the friendless, des- 
titute and degraded in a large city, is alarming. They meet us at 
every corner ; they are exposed to every form and degree of vice ; 
their natural and moral atmosphere poisoned ; and their young life 
blasted in its very beginning. Sometimes homeless and without 



shelter ; often, worse than homeless ; little, childish voices, that 
should be pure and innocent and loving, ring their harsh discords 
on the ear, making every nerve thrill with pity. To such, this 
institution offers its shelter and protection. Here the mother may 
find a place of refuge for her little ones, while she toils for support 
and saves from her scanty earnings in the hope of better days ; 
the orphan may here find watchful care and tender kindness ; and 
the worse than orphans learn of the straight and narrow way that 
leads to virtue and to God. 

One can hardly realize the transforming effect of these new 
influences ; the simple and wholesome diet ; the order and neat- 
ness ; the complete renovation of the physical system, and through 
and by these, the lighting up of a new mental and moral life, 
making a squalid face to beam with something of the radiance of 
pure, childish joy. Could our friends but see these frequent 
changes, they would feel that one bright smile and ringing laugh 
would more than balance all their offerings to the treasury of the 
Society. And though this is not the full end which it proposes, 
yet, in the production of this state of mind and heart, the way is 
prepared for the beginnings of a life of usefulness, and the com- 
munication of that religious instruction which alone can make us 
wise for this world, and give hope for the world beyond. 

Who can estimate the influence of such labors on these young 
and earnest minds ? In this formative period of life, when the 
plastic heart and character receive their deepest and most lasting 
impressions, who can know the full result of such a change ? We 
are told that Homer begged before he wrote ; that Luther plead 
in the streets for a morsel of bread ; and later, who has not read 
of Kitto struggling with natural infirmities, and receiving at the 
alms-house the first stimulus to his wonderful life of usefulness. 
What latent powers, for good or evil, slumber here ? is question 
enough to rouse every reflecting mind to the full importance of 
this object. Nor can we ever know the history of all the little 
grains of influence which have been sown in this field ; germinat- 
ing, and growing, and bringing forth fruit, it may be, in scenes 
and generations we know not. Let us persevere ; not weary in 
well-doing ; faithful in the earthly sowing, and waiting for the 
ingathering of the eternal harvest. 



6 

In reviewing our past history we would humbly recognize the 
protecting care of a kind Providence, without whose blessing our 
labors would be in vain. To the cherished friends and patrons of 
the past, we offer a grateful appreciation of their pecuniary aid and 
self-denying labors in this good work. Verily, they have their 
reward. We have hitherto been sustained by various contributions 
of clothing, provisions, and articles of domestic economy ; by 
annual subscriptions, special donations and legacies. These have 
been received from all denominations of Christians. But past 
benefactions have done their work, and their record is with the past. 
To you we look for present support ; for the means needful to sus- 
tain us year by year. Upon your response depends this mission 
to the young. Without your help, they perish. The average 
number at the institution, during the past year, has been seventy- 
five, beside officers and attendants ; and any one accustomed to 
providing and paying the bills, must realize that it takes not a 
small amount of means to feed, clothe, and warm, so large a 
family. 

The growing population ; the distress and exposure from depres- 
sion of business, and consequent want of employment, increase the 
number and urgency of our applications. What shall the Mana- 
gers do ? There are yet vacant places ; shall these wretched and 
suffering ones plead in vain ? The only limitation is the want of 
sufficient funds. In view of these facts, will you not aid and 
encourage us by a constant, cordial co-operation and support, and 
help us to meet these urgent appeals, by a generous remembrance 
from the means which Providence has placed at your disposal, and 
also unite your prayers with ours, that a Divine blessing may 
crown this effort for the salvation of souls, and the upbuilding of 
the Redeemer's kingdom. 



FOR THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER, 1859. 



Mrs. 



^vcsf&eut. 
WILLIAM REYNOLDS. 



Vfce^resfDents. 
Mrs. JOHN C. PROCTOR, 
Mrs. JAMES F. BALDWIN, 
Mrs. JOSHUA LINCOLN. 

Secretary 

Mrs. NORMAN C. STEVENS. 

Miss HARRIETT D. GOULD, Assistant Secretary, 

treasurer. 

Mr. EDWIN LAMSON. 

Residence, 5 Beacon Street, Place of Business, 26 Central Wharf. 

Miss K. P. KINGMAN, Assistant Treasurer, 
13 Burroughs Place. 



^Hanascrs. 



Mrs. Ebenezer Smith, 
" Francis 0. Watts, 
" Henry Waitt, 
" Parker Fowle, 
" Daniel T. Coit, 
" William T. Eustis, 



Mrs. Abby L. Chamberlin, 
" Charles S. Kendall, 
" Ira Greenwood, 
" Stephen J. Bottles, 
" Sarah W. Shattuck, 
'* Henry Dyer. 



^onotarj) ^embers of tf)e 33oartJ. 



Mrs. Jabez C. Howe, 
" Lymax Beecher, 



Mrs. T. P. Cushing, 
" Alfred E. Giles, 
Mrs. Seth Bliss. 



19t)DSfcfans. 
NORMAN C. STEVENS, M. D., Attending. 
GEORGE HAY WARD, M. D., Consulting. 



Jabez C. Howe, 
John Tap pan, 
Richard Fletcher, 
John C. Proctor, 
Albert Hobart, 
Lewis Lerow, 
William T. Eustis, 



33oar& of gT&bfsers. 

Benjamin Smith, 
Samuel Johnson, 
Henry S. Waldo, 
Philo Sanford, 
Henry Waitt, 
Daniel T. Coit, 
Charles S. Kendall. 



Miss 



Mrs. 
Mr. 



Collectors, 
Harriette L. Proctor, 
Anna L. Cushing, 
Abbie W. Pearson, 
Elizabeth W. Eustis, 
K. P. Kingman, 
Elizabeth Tobey, 
Sarah Adams, 
Susan Adams, 
William D. Thayer, 
Charles R. Merrill, 



Miss Helen S. Campbell, 

" Lucy C. Gould, 

" Geraldine Grafton, 

" Almira Lincoln, 

" Abbie Mills, 

" MULLIKEN, 

" Rollins, 

" Ellen Frances Stevens, 

" Mary Stoddard, 

" Whitmore. 



MEMBERSHIP. 



The third Article of the Constitution provides that "Any person sub- 
scribing and paying two dollars, annually, shall be a member ; children 
and youth, one dollar. The payment of twenty-five dollars shall consti- 
tute a life-membership." 



FORM OF A BEQUEST. 

Item. . . . I, A. B., do give and bequeath to the Treasurer for the 

time being of the Boston Children's Friend Society, the sum of 

for the use and benefit of said Institution, to be applied by the Board of 
Managers thereof, to the general objects of the Society. And I do direct, 
that the receipt of the Treasurer shall be a sufficient discharge to my 
Executors for the same. 



{^T Donations in money, goods, provisions, clothing, &c, are respect- 
fully solicited for the Institution in Rutland Street. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

027 293 631 6 



